Kate's Life-changing ExoSym Brace
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During the summer of 2001, Kate’s life forever changed due to a teenage whim -- jumping off of Grand Haven’s pier. This spontaneous decision resulted in a traumatic ankle injury. After the initial surgery to repair her shattered ankle, Kate’s ankle continued to deteriorate, resulting in unbearable chronic pain that has only gotten worse over time. In an attempt to relieve this pain, Kate has had an additional four surgeries (another in 2001, 2003, 2010, and 2017). After her 2003 surgery, her surgeon told Kate that, due to the amount of arthritis, she had the ankle of a 70-year-old. That was 17 years ago!
Kate has tried multiple pain management techniques, including hundreds of hours in physical therapy, acupuncture, traditional pain medication (OTC and prescription), cold therapy, massage therapy, myofascial release, cortisone injections, and an additional 15 other techniques. Unfortunately, none of these things have been even a semi-permanent fix. After a recent cortisone injection failed, in which Kate was provided no pain relief, her surgeon told her that they were coming to the end of the road. The end of the road is either an ankle fusion (where Kate will have no flexibility in her ankle) or an ankle replacement (which Kate's doctor does not recommend due to her young age since ankle replacements only last 8-12 years).
However, Kate wasn’t happy with either of these options (for obvious reasons). In her research to find an alternative, she stumbled across an exciting brace technology, called ExoSym made by the Hanger Clinic in Gig Harbor, Washington. This brace has allowed people with severe lower leg injuries to walk normally again. Kate is excited about the prospect of walking (and even running) normally for the first time since 2001. The brace will be tailored to Kate’s specific characteristics, including her physical attributes and her areas of pain, weakness, and instability.
However, because of the individualization that goes into each ExoSym brace, the carbon fiber material of which it is made, and the training once the brace is made that Kate will have to go through, the brace is quite costly. Unfortunately, none of the $9,000 cost is covered by insurance. Below you will find an approximate cost breakdown of what Kate will need in order to make this a reality:
Exosym brace = $9,000 (up to $12,000 if an additional knee piece is required)
Flights to and from Gig Harbor = $2,400 (Austin will be accompanying Kate for both trips to Gig Harbor at $500-600 per person, per trip)
Lodging in Gig Harbor = $2,200
Food/Rental Car = $1,500
Speciality Shoes to fit the ExoSym brace inside = Cost Unknown
I can tell you that when Kate told me about the ExoSym brace, it was the first time in a long time that I’ve seen Kate have hope about her ankle. Currently, her everyday life is not sustainable. She puts on a brave face, but behind closed doors, she is truly suffering. On days that Kate works, she has to choose only ONE other physical activity that she can do. We’re not talking about running, hiking, or taking a mile walk here. Kate can't run even a few steps and has a noticeable limp even when she walks. What we’re talking about is whether or not she can go grocery shopping or stand at the kitchen sink and do dishes. We’re talking about whether or not she’ll have to use crutches to get around her house when she gets home. We’re talking about going for a ten-minute walk with her husband and dogs. We’re talking about her having to swallow her pride and apply for a handicap parking pass because she can’t walk from the parking lot to a store without pain.
I know that the cost of the ExoSym brace and the travel and accomodations seem outrageous, but if this brace allows Kate to walk without pain (let alone run and jump), it is worth it. What I’m asking of all you wonderful people is for help. I know $7,000 feels like a big number to raise, however, I know we can do it! Also, please know that even $10-20 makes a huge difference! This amount means that Kate doesn’t need to worry about paying for a meal when she’s in Washington. I’d love to surprise Kate with a huge number! We know she deserves it! I’ll also make sure to update this page after Kate’s first visit to the Hanger Clinic and every major milestone along the way!
Thank you so much for your generosity!
Kate has tried multiple pain management techniques, including hundreds of hours in physical therapy, acupuncture, traditional pain medication (OTC and prescription), cold therapy, massage therapy, myofascial release, cortisone injections, and an additional 15 other techniques. Unfortunately, none of these things have been even a semi-permanent fix. After a recent cortisone injection failed, in which Kate was provided no pain relief, her surgeon told her that they were coming to the end of the road. The end of the road is either an ankle fusion (where Kate will have no flexibility in her ankle) or an ankle replacement (which Kate's doctor does not recommend due to her young age since ankle replacements only last 8-12 years).
However, Kate wasn’t happy with either of these options (for obvious reasons). In her research to find an alternative, she stumbled across an exciting brace technology, called ExoSym made by the Hanger Clinic in Gig Harbor, Washington. This brace has allowed people with severe lower leg injuries to walk normally again. Kate is excited about the prospect of walking (and even running) normally for the first time since 2001. The brace will be tailored to Kate’s specific characteristics, including her physical attributes and her areas of pain, weakness, and instability.
However, because of the individualization that goes into each ExoSym brace, the carbon fiber material of which it is made, and the training once the brace is made that Kate will have to go through, the brace is quite costly. Unfortunately, none of the $9,000 cost is covered by insurance. Below you will find an approximate cost breakdown of what Kate will need in order to make this a reality:
Exosym brace = $9,000 (up to $12,000 if an additional knee piece is required)
Flights to and from Gig Harbor = $2,400 (Austin will be accompanying Kate for both trips to Gig Harbor at $500-600 per person, per trip)
Lodging in Gig Harbor = $2,200
Food/Rental Car = $1,500
Speciality Shoes to fit the ExoSym brace inside = Cost Unknown
I can tell you that when Kate told me about the ExoSym brace, it was the first time in a long time that I’ve seen Kate have hope about her ankle. Currently, her everyday life is not sustainable. She puts on a brave face, but behind closed doors, she is truly suffering. On days that Kate works, she has to choose only ONE other physical activity that she can do. We’re not talking about running, hiking, or taking a mile walk here. Kate can't run even a few steps and has a noticeable limp even when she walks. What we’re talking about is whether or not she can go grocery shopping or stand at the kitchen sink and do dishes. We’re talking about whether or not she’ll have to use crutches to get around her house when she gets home. We’re talking about going for a ten-minute walk with her husband and dogs. We’re talking about her having to swallow her pride and apply for a handicap parking pass because she can’t walk from the parking lot to a store without pain.
I know that the cost of the ExoSym brace and the travel and accomodations seem outrageous, but if this brace allows Kate to walk without pain (let alone run and jump), it is worth it. What I’m asking of all you wonderful people is for help. I know $7,000 feels like a big number to raise, however, I know we can do it! Also, please know that even $10-20 makes a huge difference! This amount means that Kate doesn’t need to worry about paying for a meal when she’s in Washington. I’d love to surprise Kate with a huge number! We know she deserves it! I’ll also make sure to update this page after Kate’s first visit to the Hanger Clinic and every major milestone along the way!
Thank you so much for your generosity!
Fundraising team: Kate Block and MJ Hernandez (2)
MJ Hernandez
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MI
Kate Block
Team member